Happy ending for Atlantic Beach German Shepherd after six month journey

A dog missing for more than six months was found safe Wednesday in Atlantic Beach.

The Animal Control and Public Works team rescued the female German Shepherd from a deep culvert along Jackson Road.

Neighbors said they heard howls for several days, but thought it was a coyote at first.

Action News Jax spoke to a neighbor off camera who realized it was a dog in serious need of help and called Animal Control.

He said crews had to use a ladder to get the dog to safety.

The police department said the dog, named Elsa, was microchipped. They discovered the dog had been missing since December 2017.

Elsa weighed an emaciated 44 pounds when she was rescued, down from 114 pounds.

The dog is said to be doing well at the animal hospital and will be reunited with her owners in the next few days.

Eric Williams lives nearby and said it was the perfect ending for the dog and her owners.  
"That's a long journey. That's a rough journey. Most dogs wouldn't make it," Williams said.

Watch the full report from Christy Turner on CBS 47 at 5:30 p.m.

Cox Media Group